Dwarven Ruby (25 page)

“I am tired and irritable,” confessed the priest. “Nothing would please me more than to complete my task before I leave the city in the morning. Meet me back here in exactly one half hour, and I shall try to complete all of the cells. Right now I must nap and rest my eyes.”

Tedi turned and walked through the door before the soldier could object. There were only two soldiers guarding the outside of the doorway and they nodded to the priest as Tedi strode across the street and into the inn. The common room was empty and Tedi continued through the inn and out the back door. He found Natia in the shadows at the rear of the stables.

“I found him,” whispered Tedi. “The escape is not going to be easy. What have you learned about patrols?”

“The patrols are lax,” grinned the gypsy princess. “They do not guard the big stone building alone. They march the entire inside perimeter of the wall. There are four men to each patrol and only four patrols, so we should have half an hour between patrols. There are sentries at the gates and in front of the big stone building. I have not been able to find any others.”

“This might work then,” smiled Tedi. “I plan to break out Adan’s cell window. He has marked it with his red scarf. There are many soldiers inside the building. A lot of them are still awake. If anyone spots us, we may never make it.”

“I will create a small diversion then,” grinned Natia. “Take your horse and the one in the end stall here. I will meet you behind the big stone building.”

“When is the next patrol due?” asked Tedi. “I want to start right after they pass by.”

“We are about half way between patrols now,” replied Natia. “I will need that much time to create the diversion anyway.”

“That works out perfectly,” smiled Tedi. “There is only one guard near the cells who might hear anything. He will not be there when we strike. Perhaps Abuud is smiling upon us tonight.”

“More like the goddess Mya,” countered Natia. “She is the goddess of luck. She watches over the gypsies.”

“Not to mention thieves,” chucked Tedi.

“Isn’t that what I said?” giggled Natia as she turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Tedi positioned himself so he could see a section of the wall surrounding Lori. He took off his white robe and stashed it in his bag. Then he waited until the patrol passed by before gathering the two horses and heading down an alleyway. When he reached the wall, Tedi peered into the dimly lit night and saw the patrol far away. He hurried behind the big stone building and located the window with the red scarf. He used his staff to push the scarf into the cell to warn Adan that the escape was about to begin.

Tedi raised the end of his staff to the small window, but hesitated when he heard the distant shouts. He knew that Natia was creating a diversion, but the shouts he heard echoed from both sides of the big stone building. Concern for the gypsy princess etched into his mind, but Tedi forced the thoughts away. He rammed the iron bars of the small window with the end of his staff. The window tore away from the wall and disappeared into the cell. Tedi bit his lower lip as he waited to hear the loud clanking as the iron window hit the cell floor, but there was only a muffled thump. He smiled inwardly as he pictured the window resting on Adan’s cot. Adan’s head appeared through the hole in the wall and looked both ways before he hauled himself out. Tedi dropped the staff and eased Adan to the ground.

“Where is everyone else?” whispered Adan.

“Natia will be along shortly,” answered Tedi as he picked up his staff. “My sword is on my horse. Arm yourself with it.”

“Just Natia?” frowned Adan as he shoved the sheath over his head.

“Yes,” Tedi replied as he led his horse towards the outer wall of the city.

Adan mounted his horse and sat looking both ways along the length of the wall. “Where is she?” he asked impatiently. “And how are we getting out of the city?”

The shouts echoed throughout the city now, and Tedi saw the flicker of flames reflecting off the nearby buildings. He saw a rider galloping towards him and gripped his staff hard. When he recognized the rider as Natia, Tedi handed the reins of his horse to Adan.

“Hold this a minute,” ordered Tedi.

Adan took the reins as he watched Natia charging towards him. Tedi walked a short distance away from Adan and swung his staff furiously at the wall. The rocks parted in an explosive fury leaving a large gap in the wall. Tedi ran and leaped onto his horse. Natia grinned at them as she charged through the freshly-made hole. Adan shook his head in disbelief, but he swiftly followed Tedi through the breach.

The trio raced into the forest and up the side of the hill. At the top, Natia paused to look down at the city. Adan and Tedi stopped alongside her. Huge flames leaped skyward from several sections of the city. Tedi shook his head in amazement.

“That is your diversion?” questioned Tedi. “What did you do?”

“I just torched four stables,” Natia replied innocently. “Of course I untethered the horses first. I suppose they are running all over the city by now.”

“That is my Natia,” laughed Adan. “Always thinking of the horses first.”

“We need to put some distance between us and Lori,” declared Tedi. “Even with the confusion down there, it will not take them long to figure out what happened.”

“I have some questions about that myself,” added Adan, “but they can wait. I know a spot where we can rest safely. Follow me.”

Adan galloped away and Tedi and Natia followed. They rode for several hours until Adan led them into the mouth of a small cave that was hidden behind some bushes. They were settled in just as the sun was tainting the sky crimson.

“You two have a lot of explaining to do,” smiled Adan. “Like how did you know where I was? How did you destroy that wall? Why are there only two of you? And why is a basta running around with my sister?”

“Talk about being grateful,” pouted Natia.

“You know I am grateful,” smiled Adan as he hugged his sister, “but I fear that there is danger in the story about to be told. The other tribes are due to join us today and I suspect that some loyalties may be questionable.”

“You are correct,” answered Tedi. “We believe that Caroom betrayed you. He told us that you were imprisoned in Lori.”

“Just before he tried to seize control of the tribe,” added Natia. “When I demanded that we rescue you, he threatened to kill me. Tedi defeated him.”

“You defeated Caroom?” asked Adan as his eyebrows rose. “There is more to you than I suspected. How did you manage the hole in the wall?”

“My staff has magical powers,” admitted Tedi. “I do not know magic myself, but it was a gift from one who does. I would prefer that people do not know.”

“Agreed,” nodded Adan. “Did you kill Caroom?”

“No,” replied Tedi. “He submitted, and we left to rescue you. Mandal and Hortice came with us, but they have since returned to the tribe.”

“Why?” questioned Adan. “Did they not believe I could be rescued?”

“I sent them back,” offered Natia. “While we were spying on the city, we saw Caroom enter. We assumed that he was there to betray us and let the soldiers know that we were coming, but a greater fear soon raised its head. I think he was there to lead the soldier to our campsite. I sent Mandal and Hortice back to move the tribe.”

“You are a wise lass,” smiled Adan. “You should have killed him, Tedi. I was a fool to believe in him. Rax warned me, but I am an optimist when it comes to people. The fact that Caroom knew where I was imprisoned is all the proof I need to condemn him. He should not have even known that I was captured. I wondered how the Lanoirians had arranged the trap that I foolishly sprung. Only one person knew where I would be. And when I would be there. The problem now is that Caroom will lead the soldiers to the tribe.”

“I instructed Mandal to use your method of the danger sign and altered rock maps,” smiled Natia. “I do not think Caroom will know where to look.”

“You seem to have everything well planned,” approved Adan. “I must say that I am greatly impressed with both of you. I take it the basta has regained his memory?”

“Do not call him a basta,” frowned Natia. “He may not have been born a gypsy, but I think he has proved himself to be worthy of being called one. He alone defended my position in the tribe, and it was his skill that rescued the King of the Gypsies. He deserves your respect.”

“He deserves more than my respect,” grinned Adan. “To rescue me and protect my sister all in the same day takes a great man. It is a debt of gratitude that I can never fully repay. I certainly will try very hard to though. What can the gypsy people offer you, friend?”

“There is nothing that I need,” answered Tedi. “I am just glad that I was able to help.”

“Surely there must be something we can give you for risking your neck,” pushed Adan. “You showed great courage, intelligence, and skill. These are all qualities that we honor. As King of the Gypsies, I can offer you anything that we have. I know it will not repay my debt to you, but it is a start.”

“Then you can offer him that which he truly desires,” interrupted Natia. “It is something that is yours to give.”

“I feel this is going to hurt greatly,” Adan sighed, “but I sense that the decision has already been made. Say it. Tell me what it is that I can offer to him.”

“Me,” Natia answered without hesitation.

Master Khatama frowned as he guided the wagon through the streets of Tagaret. While Lara and Kamil viewed the city with excitement, Niki felt a tremor of fear gripping her. Niki looked furtively down each street as the wagon rolled through intersection after intersection. Finally, the old merchant broke the silence.

“I do not know where to find either Master Clava or Master Markel,” confessed Boris. “We could ask somebody, but I think it wiser to deliver you two ladies secretly. Who knows what leverage this type of news could afford somebody in the Contest of Power?”

“I know how to find Fredrik,” Niki offered nervously. “I am sure that he would not tell anyone.”

Boris gazed at Niki for a moment before shaking his head and asking, “Who is Fredrik?”

A single tear formed in the corner of Niki’s eye as she returned Master Khatama’s gaze. “He is a friend of mine,” she answered. “He owns a large estate here in the city. He will know where to find Master Clava and Master Markel. We will be safe and welcomed there.”

“Very well,” nodded Boris. “Tell me where to turn.”

Niki started giving directions to Boris. Lara and Kamil continued to enjoy the sights of the city with wonderment. At times, Bin-lu peeked out of the back of the wagon to view the passing city scenery. A broad smile played across his face. While Lara and Kamil were admiring the Royal Palace, a soldier rode out of the gate. He seemed to be paying more attention to what was behind him than where he was going. He almost collided with Master Khatama’s team and had to halt abruptly.

The soldier stared at the side of the wagon as it passed by. A thin smile crossed his lips as he read the writing on the canvas of the wagon. When the wagon had proceeded to clear his path, the soldier continued his journey. He still kept turning around to check behind him. When he had progressed along the street far enough to shield him from view from the Royal Palace, he urged his mount into a trot.

The soldier continued to watch for anyone following him as he wove an intricate path through the city. Eventually he ended up in front of an old dilapidated building that had been used as a factory for making carriages.

“It’s Kendal,” came a muffled voice from inside the building as the door swung open.

The soldier looked both ways before riding through the open doorway. The door closed as soon as he crossed the threshold. The soldier leaped off of his horse and secured it to a post.

“You take a chance coming here in the daytime,” welcomed Sheri. “It must be important.”

“Very important,” frowned Kendal. “Colonel Salvo has ordered a search of this sector of the city. The army will be going from building to building. Every structure is to be inspected. He is desperate to find the children who are causing so many problems. I suspect that he is under a lot of pressure from higher up.”

“How much time do we have?” asked Jon.

“Hard to say,” confessed Kendal. “He is dividing the men up to start the search at multiple locations. I didn’t wait for the end of the briefing. You have to scatter everyone now.”

“Our people can scatter easily enough,” declared Sheri. “We know more ways of getting around this city than the army will ever know. What we can’t hide is the wagon and the horses. If the army finds those, they will never leave this sector.”

“You never should have pushed to keep that wagon,” frowned Jon. “I told you it would be trouble.”

“I have an idea for the wagon,” suggested Kendal as he stooped to draw in the dirt. “On the way over here I passed a merchant’s wagon. The side of his wagon had his name painted boldly in red like this. With just a little bit of work, this wagon could look just like his. I don’t think the army would give it a second glance, especially if they have seen this merchant’s wagon riding around the city.”

“Excellent,” grinned Sheri. “I even know where we can get some red paint.”

“That still leaves the horses,” complained Jon.

“I know what to do with them,” smiled Sheri. “Throw some blankets over them to hide the army brands.”

“It will take more than that,” frowned Jon.

“Of course it will,” agreed Sheri. “You are going to take the horses to the stables of one of the inns favored by the soldiers. Tie them up and bring the blankets back.”

“That is good,” grinned Kendal. “Nobody will give them a second look if they are where you would already expect to find army horses.”

“Check the street,” Sheri ordered. “Make sure it is safe for Kendal to leave.”

One of the boys cracked the door slightly and peered out. He nodded his head and waved that the way was clear. Kendal grabbed the reins of his horse and swiftly mounted. He sensed the children scrambling to work on the wagon as he rode out into the street.

* * *

“I thought I would never see you again,” Fredrik said softly outside the door to his sitting room. “You had me very worried.”